(18.5) Lǚ Qián 呂虔 [Zǐkè 子恪]

Lǚ Qián, appellation Zǐkè, was a Rènchéng man. When Tàizǔ was at Yǎnzhōu, he heard Qián had courage and planning ability, and appointed him as advisor, to command his family troops to defend Húlù. In Colonel of Xiāngbēn Dù Sōng’s regiment, Guì Mǔ and others rebelled and communicated with Chāng Xī. Tàizǔ sent Qián to replace Sōng. Qián arrived, and invited Guì Mǔ, Qú Lǜ and several tens of their fellow villains, giving them food and drink. He chose several strong warriors and hid them in the lavatory. When Qián saw Guì Mǔ and the others were all intoxicated, he sent the hidden troops to kill them all. He took over the army, and the bandits were then pacified.

Tàizǔ appointed Qián as Administrator of Tàishān. The prefecture bordered the mountains and sea, was in disorder, and most of the people all were in hiding. Yuán Shào’s Internal Gentleman-Generals Guō Zǔ and Gōngsūn Dú and others, several tens of men, occupied the mountains as bandits, and the common people suffered from this. Qián led his family troops to the prefecture, showed favor and trust, and Zǔ and the rest and their followers all came to surrender. All the people who had fled to hide in the mountains came out and settled down and worked the land. He chose out the strongest to serve as warriors, and Tàishān then had elite troops that became known and dominated the province and prefectures.

The Jǐnán Yellow Scarves Xú Hé and others captured the chief clerks and attacked the cities of where they were. Qián led troops together with Xiàhóu Yuān and attacked them, fought ten battles altogether, beheading and capturing several thousand men. Tàizǔ sent him as Commander of Qīngzhōu over the troops of the various prefectures in order to the Dōnglái bandits Lǐ Tiáo and others, and served with distinction.

濟南黃巾徐和等，所在劫長吏，攻城邑。虔引兵與夏侯淵會擊之，前後數十戰，斬首獲生數千人。太祖使督青州諸郡兵以討東萊群賊李條等，有功。

Tàizǔ wrote an order: “Those who would have ambition must be able to complete affairs, and be one that leading heroes will follow. Up to now, you in your prefecture have captured traitors and destroyed villains, given the common people peace, personally braved arrows and stones, and overcome all that you have attacked. In the past Kòu Xún established his name at the Rǔ and Yǐng rivers, Gěng Yǎn had achievements in Qīng and Yǎn. As in the past, now there is one man.” He was nominated as Abundant Talent, promoted to Cavalry Commandant, with authority over his prefecture as before.

Qián was in Tàishān for over ten years, and had great prestige and favor. When Wén-dì inherited title as King [220], he was advanced to Assistant-General, given fief as Marquis of Yìshòu precinct, transferred to Inspector of Xúzhōu, advanced to General Overpowering Criminals. He invited the Wáng Xiáng of Lángyé to serve as his Camp Aide, and entrusted all the people’s affairs to him. Many worthy men of the time were appointed. (1) He attacked rebels at Lìchéng, beheading and capturing with distinction.

(1) Sūn Shèng’s Záyǔ states: Xiáng appellation Xiūzhǐ. By nature he was filial. His stepmother was exacting and oppressive, and always wished to harm Xiáng, but Xiáng provided support without any negligence. During an extremely cold month, his stepmother said: “I would like to eat fresh fish.” Xiáng removed his clothes and was about to dive into the freezing water to catch some when suddenly the ice broke and a fish below leaped out as if offering itself. At the time people believed his filial feeling had caused this. He provided for his parents for over thirty years. His mother ended and then he accepted appointment, and for his genuine and honest nature was valued in his time.

Wáng Yǐn’s Jìnshū states: When Xiáng first accepted appointment, he was over fifty, and eventually reached Colonel-Director of Retainers. The Duke of Gāoguì village entered the Academy, appointed Xiáng as Three Elders, and promoted him to Excellency of Works and Grand Commandant. When Sīmǎ [Zhāo] Wén-wáng first became King of Jìn [264], Excellency of Works Xún Yǐ wanted Xiáng to show the highest reverence [to the King of Jìn as if for an Emperor], but Xiáng would not do this. This is reported in Sānshàodìjì [SGZ 4]. When Jìn Wǔ [Sīmǎ Yán] ascended, he appointed Xiáng as Grand Protector, and gave him fief as Duke of Jūlíng. Tàishǐ fourth year [268], at age eighty-nine he died. Xiáng’s younger brother Lǎn, appellation Xuántōng, was Merit Grandee. Jìnzhūgōngzàn praises Lǎn’s straightforwardness. Lǎn’s descendants multiplied and produced many worth talents with connections, and for many generations they flourished. From ancient to present times there have been few that can compare.

When Míng-dì ascended [226], his fief was changed to Marquis of Wànnián precinct and increased by 200, added with the previous to a total of 600 households. Qián died, and his son Fān succeeded. Fān died, and his son Guì succeeded.